Volunteers are frantically searching to find a dog rescued from a life of misery in Serbia, who went missing in Hackney the day after he was re-homed.

Oscar slipped his collar in Stoke Newington Common on Sunday.

Volunteers from as far afield as Portsmouth have since been out searching for Oscar, who is an 18 month old Husky Labrador cross.

There have been reported sightings in Lordship Road, Manor Road and Bethune Road.

Jovana Ivaseanin, trustee of dog charity Serbia’s Forgotten Paws, picked out Oscar as a candidate for re-homing because of his gentle temperament after he was dumped as a tiny puppy with his nine siblings.

She said: Yesterday we were out until 2am looking for him, we looked around the reservoir, there’s a chance he’s been hit by a car and has gone somewhere and hidden.

“It’s very upsetting, we are so worried for him, even if someone has taken him in we want to know he is alright.

“He is a little bit nervous and shy with people he doesn’t know, but if you were to corner him he wouldn’t be aggressive, he would let you pet him.

“He is absolutely lovely, he loves cuddles and kisses, he likes company and once he is comfortable and he knows you, he’s more likely to approach a woman than a man .”

Oscar is microchipped on his left shoulder.

Anyone who spots Oscar is asked to call 07816 214786.